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Canada · Kindergarten to career

How education works in Canada.

A simple map of Canadian education: run by each province, kindergarten to Grade 12, Quebec's CEGEP, university, college, apprenticeships and how to pay for it.

The big picture

Six things to know.

Each province runs education

Canada has no national education ministry. Each of the 10 provinces and 3 territories sets its own curriculum, diplomas and rules.

Free public school

Public schools are free from kindergarten to Grade 12 for residents. School attendance is compulsory, usually from about age 6 to 16 or 18 (Ontario requires school until 18 or graduation).

English, French or both

English and French public schools exist across Canada. Many students choose French immersion.

Faith-based public boards in some provinces

Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan fund separate (Catholic) school boards alongside public boards.

No SAT needed for Canadian universities

Canadian universities admit mainly on Grade 11–12 marks and required courses, not on an admission test.

College is a strong option

Colleges and polytechnics offer career diplomas, apprenticeships and applied degrees, often with paid co-op work terms.

Step by step

From kindergarten to career.

  1. Ages 4–6

    Kindergarten

    Most provinces offer one year of kindergarten; Ontario offers two years (Junior and Senior Kindergarten). Learning through play.

    JK / SK in Ontario
  2. Ages 6–12

    Elementary school

    Grades 1 to 6 (or 1 to 8 in some provinces). Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, arts and physical education.

    Grades 1–6/8
  3. Ages 12–14

    Middle or junior high

    Grades 7 to 8 or 7 to 9, depending on the province. Some provinces test students in reading, writing and mathematics, for example Ontario's EQAO in Grades 3, 6 and 9 and British Columbia's FSA in Grades 4 and 7.

    Provincial assessments
  4. Ages 14–18

    High school (secondary)

    Grades 9 to 12. Students earn credits and choose academic or applied courses. Ontario students also pass a literacy requirement (OSSLT) for the diploma.

    Grades 9–12Credits
  5. Quebec

    Secondary 1–5, then CEGEP

    Quebec high school ends after Secondary 5 (about Grade 11). Students then go to CEGEP: 2 years pre-university or 3 years technical.

    CEGEPR score
  6. Grade 12

    Apply to university or college

    Ontario applies through OUAC (universities) and OntarioColleges.ca; B.C. through EducationPlannerBC; Quebec CEGEP students through regional services; elsewhere directly to each school.

    OUACEducationPlannerBC
  7. Ages 18–22

    University, college or apprenticeship

    Bachelor's degrees take 3–4 years (usually 4; 3 in Quebec after CEGEP). College diplomas take 1–3 years. Apprenticeships combine paid work with training, leading to a trade certificate (Red Seal for many trades).

    Bachelor'sDiplomaApprenticeship
  8. After a degree

    Graduate and professional school

    Master's and PhD programs. Medicine (MD) and law (JD) are entered after an undergraduate degree, usually with the MCAT or LSAT.

    Master'sPhDMDJD

After school

The main paths.

UniversityAfter Grade 12 (or CEGEP) · 3–4 years

Bachelor's degrees in arts, science, engineering, business and more, often with co-op options.

College or polytechnicAfter Grade 12 · 1–3 years

Certificates, diplomas and applied degrees with hands-on training and work placements.

ApprenticeshipAfter high school · 2–5 years

Learn a skilled trade while earning; the Red Seal lets many trades work across provinces.

CEGEP (Quebec)After Secondary 5 · 2–3 years

Pre-university programs lead to university; technical programs lead to careers.

Accounting (CPA)After a bachelor's degree

Chartered Professional Accountant: required courses, the CPA Professional Education Program, the Common Final Examination (CFE) and supervised work experience, run by the provincial CPA bodies.

Professional programsAfter a bachelor's degree

Medicine, law, dentistry, pharmacy and teaching programs have their own admission requirements.

Paying for itPlan early

RESP savings with the Canada Education Savings Grant, provincial and federal student aid, and entrance scholarships.

Words you will hear

Glossary.

OSSD: Ontario Secondary School Diploma: 30 credits, a literacy requirement and community involvement hours.
CEGEP: Quebec's college level between high school and university.
R score (cote R): Quebec's CEGEP ranking used for university admission.
OUAC: Ontario Universities' Application Centre.
Co-op: Paid work terms built into a college or university program.
Red Seal: An interprovincial standard for skilled trades.
RESP: Registered Education Savings Plan; the government adds 20% on the first $2,500 a year (Canada Education Savings Grant).
French immersion: Programs where most subjects are taught in French to students whose first language is not French.
CMEC: Council of Ministers of Education, Canada: where provinces coordinate education policy.
EQAO / FSA: Provincial assessments in Ontario and British Columbia.

Official sources

Learn more.

CMEC: education in Canada ↗Canada student aid ↗RESP and grants ↗Red Seal trades ↗

On Global Yuva: University and college in Canada, province by province · curriculum crosswalk.

Disclaimer: For informational and educational purposes only. Facts are drawn from provincial ministries and CMEC as of October 2026; details differ by province and territory. Rules, programs and dates change; always confirm with the official ministry, board, institution or program. Global Yuva is not affiliated with any government, board or institution named here.